Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth - The look back

Oct 17, 2022

Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth

The positives? We arrest our two-game losing streak. The negatives? There are some real concerns around our defensive frailties, as Bournemouth's two goals were far too easy for them.

Their first was the fastest goal scored in the Premier League this season. Billing and Solanke linked up with ease, with the latter slotting home to put the visitors in the lead.

Issa Diop, who came in for Tosin in a move some might feel was overdue, drew us level 20 minutes later, heading in from an Andreas corner. That parity would last less than 10 minutes and Lerma put Bournemouth back ahead going into the break.

The second half was much better from the Whites, and we got the equalizer early on, after Lerma wrestled Mitrovic to the ground in the box. The Serb, still not fully fit and coping with a niggle picked up during the international break, made no mistake from the spot. It banished memories of his Molineux miss and reinforced his importance to the Whites.

It was a game that we perhaps felt we should win on paper, but a point under the circumstances is positive, and we have the chance to build on it in just four days against Villa.

WHAT THEY SAID

▪️Marco Silva: The second half was all from ourselves, that is the truth. They played with nine players around their box and just Solanke up front. I know they were winning and the responsibility was for us to get control of the game. It is tough to play against nine players around their box and the goalkeeper.

▪️Issa Diop: Tough game today, but we didn't give up. Happy to have scored my first goal.

▪️Sammy James: Fingers crossed Tete and Mitro are back for Bournemouth. Despite the obviously mitigating circumstances, we really need to stop leaking goals. There is only so much Leno can do. Expecting to see Diop come in.